For this year's Independence Day on Aug 31 — which marks Malaysia's 45th year of freedom from colonial power Britain — PRM is launching a campaign in recognition of the people's contribution to the struggle.

Party president Dr Syed Husin Ali said this message — to be delivered at the party's fund-raising dinner at Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday — is to remind the ruling Barisan Nasional government that it is the people who have struggled and sacrificed for independence, not the other way around.

"So far, the role of the people in the fight for independence has been forgotten by BN leaders," said the veteran politician in a press statement yesterday.

"In fact, the people have been sidelined due to BN's policies and attitude, and the social institutions have been manipulated to the extent that the role and significance of the people are increasingly exploited," he added.

Syed Husin said important government institutions and welfare bodies, such as the Employees Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation, media, police and the judiciary, have been oppressed by BN, whom he accuses of "eroding the democratic rights and freedom" of the Malaysian people.

"Even though the rakyat [people] have sacrificed their tears, sweat and blood to fight for independence, their roles have been forgotten and they do not share in the country's development," he said.

"Recently there are more and more incidents of abuse of power and corruption while the BN leaders are becoming more arrogant and greedy," he added.

Syed Husin said PRM, along with the workers, farmers, youth, women and the Orang Asli, will continue to protect the rights and significance of the people.

Last anniversary

PRM was registered in November 1955 in Kuala Lumpur and its initial membership comprised of lower- and middle-class Malays who aspire towards social democracy. Its 47th anniversary this year is probably its last as the party is expected to merge with Keadilan soon.

Keadilan recently signed a memorandum of understanding with PRM to merge after it failed to get a two-thirds majority in its annual general meeting last year.

At the party's AGM this October, Keadilan is expected to obtain the necessary votes to amend its constitution and complete the merger.

Both parties are in alliance with Islamic party PAS in the three-year-old Barisan Alternatif.

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